Kira will tap into her own experience as she follows new career path

Kira Noble knows all about the effects of hair loss.

She underwent cancer treatment over an 11-year period when there were few moments that she felt well.

Kira received four wigs from The Little Princess Trust – and they soon became her safety blanket.

Having learned through first-hand experience how best to style her wigs, Kira now wants to put this knowledge to good use and help others with hair loss.

She is training as a hairdresser while her long-term aim is to one day specialise in wig work.

“The hair loss, for me, was the hardest part of cancer treatment,” she said.

“As a pre-teen, I didn’t think much of it. But once I entered high school, it hit me just how much our hair shapes our sense of identity.

“Each time I relapsed, I’d get a new wig – different lengths, colours and styles – and with each one came the realisation that this was my visible reminder of being sick.

“But somewhere along the way, my frustration turned into fascination. I started experimenting with all my wigs, learning how to style them, and doing my friends’ hair when I couldn’t do my own.

“Over time that passion grew into a new dream. Today, I’m training as a hairdresser, learning in a salon under an incredible mentor.

“My ultimate goal is to specialise in hair loss and wig work, helping others going through the same struggles I faced.”

Kira was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma aged 11 when a scan revealed a tumour the size of a watermelon.

Over the next 11 years, she faced 26 rounds of chemotherapy, multiple rounds of radiotherapy, proton beam therapy, differentiation therapy and chemoimmunotherapy.

Each round left its mark and Kira says her appearance changed remarkably, going from ‘painfully thin’ one month to being ‘puffy from steroids’ the next.

However, hair loss was the most devastating part.

“I no longer recognised myself,” she said. “My eyebrows and eyelashes disappeared too.

“Having my wigs helped and ended up being a safety blanket for me.

“Nothing could replace that positive feeling of looking in the mirror and seeing yourself with ‘hair’”.

Kira, who is now 22, says there is no going back to the life she had before cancer.

“I’ve learned to embrace a new version of normal,” she added.

“My days now include pilates with my best friend, long walks, and nights out at music gigs.

“Whether it’s coffee dates or dinner with friends, just being able to get out and enjoy life feels like a gift.

“It’s the small things you learn to appreciate.”